Where do you want
to garden, Asheville?

The City’s new Asheville Edibles Program is designed to give people an opportunity to grow food and pollinator plants on publicly owned land.

Announced in April by the Office of Sustainability, one component of the Edibles Program is Asheville Community Gardens. The community gardens program will be highlighted during a June 10 kickoff event at the Southside Community Garden, 133 Livingston St. From 4 to 6 p.m., everyone is invited to come tour this community garden and learn about resources to craft similar gardens. There will be a DIY garden bed demonstration, information on how to get involved, free pollinator seeds, lots of discussion and cookies and lemonade.

How the Community Gardens Program will work

Asheville’s Community Gardens Program allows citizens to start edible gardens on parcels of City-owned land in various areas of town. Each garden location has room for several plots. This is a great way to bring your neighborhood and/or organization together to grow local, fresh, and healthy produce to create a stronger, more resilient community. There is no cost to lease the land. All you need are helping hands.

“While the City owns the land, the City wants gardeners to feel like the space is theirs to develop into something beautiful and productive,” said Haley Mahoney, Sustainability Technician for the City’s Office of Sustainability. “The Community Gardens Program provides a chance for community members to join one another to gather resources and collectively make gardening dreams a reality. Moreover, this program offers an opportunity for the community to come together to learn, laugh, and grow.”

To apply

Sites available to apply for at this time include:

• Carrier Park, 220 Amboy Road, Asheville NC 28806
• Murray Hill, Bartlett Street, Asheville, NC 28801
• Weaver Park, 200 Murdock Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
• 33-35 Page Avenue, downtown Asheville, NC 28801

The City is now accepting applications for this program. Before you apply, please read the Community Gardens Program Rules & Procedures.

Here is a link to the application form. Once completed, please send the form to Haley Mahoney at hmahoney@ashevillenc.gov or through the U.S. mail at this address:

City of Asheville – Office of Sustainability, PO Box 7148, Asheville NC, 28802

Attn: Haley Mahoney

For more information, call 828-259-5721 or visit the Asheville Edibles Program webpage.